wPresident William Ruto has urged Kenyans to be cautious of disinformation aimed at sabotaging development, undermining democracy and destabilising the country in pursuit of sectarian political interests.
The President pointed out that much of the opposition against the government stems from inaccurate representation and outright disinformation.
He called on critics to stop misleading the public and instead engage in discussions based on fact and the truth.
“We are at the stage in social development when digital technologies have immense capacity to amplify disinformation, magnify fake news and distort facts beyond all recognition,” he said.
“If we give in to these emerging negative trends, we shall pay with our freedom, democracy and development.”
President Ruto made the remarks during the Jamhuri Day Celebrations held at Uhuru Gardens National Monument and Museum in Lang’ata, Nairobi County, on Thursday.
Gambian President Adama Barrow, who is visiting the country, was the chief guest at the colourful event whose highlights were the President’s speech and the military’s Trooping of the Colour.
The presidential colour is trooped when a military unit or base performs a national ceremony in which the Commander-in-Chief or a visiting Head of State is honoured with a parade.
Present at the event were Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet Secretaries, ambassadors, MPs and other leaders.
Has Ruto transformed the economy?
The President said the government has laid a solid foundation for inclusive economic transformation. He noted that despite falsehoods about the development agenda, the results are evident.
“We are no longer where we were a year, let alone two years ago. We have moved beyond pledges and commitments and are now making progress with our implementation strategies,” he said.
President Ruto pointed out that the country’s economy is stable, the cost of living has reduced and inflation is at its lowest in 17 years.
“When we say that the cost of basic food commodities has come down, it is a fact. When we say that inflation has gone down, it is a fact,” he said. “And hen we say that our farmers are producing more and better, it is a fact and, when we say that Kenyans who have registered for Taifa Care are receiving better services than before, it is a fact,” he emphasised.
The President explained that the strategies implemented to address unemployment, healthcare and food security are delivering tangible results.
How many jobs has affordable housing projects created?
President Ruto said job creation is a central pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, disclosing that 200,000 jobs have been created in the Affordable Housing Programmes, while 243,000 Kenyans have secured international jobs since September 2022.
“Our rejuvenated micro, small, and medium enterprises have created 840,000 jobs this year,” he pointed out.
He wondered what critics have to say about the thousands of plumbers, electricians, teachers, health workers, building and construction workers, digital workers and many others already at work, including the 300 young men and women flagged off on Wednesday by Deputy President Kindiki to work abroad.
